If you guys didn't know already, I love Daitarn. I tried to marry him once but failed. Anyways, it is with great pleasure that I bring you a review of the Daitarn 3 Renewal Color version which has been designated the GX-65 even though it is the same exact figure JoshB reviewed back in 2010. Instead of just adding an "R" to the GX-53 number, they gave it a new one altogether. Is it because they include a weapon stand with a plaque on it? Not sure but let's take a look at what you get since most of you who already have the GX-53 are wondering whether this renewal warrants a purchase or you don't own either and are trying to decide on which one.

The box features a darker but livelier design than the original which was a bit more plain in comparison.

The contents are separated in two sections, the Styrofoam box which contains Daitarn 3 himself also shown with the included color instruction manual.

The other section is the three trays that neatly stack on themselves. This tray setup differs from the original GX-53.

Here is Daitarn 3 fresh out of the box and after installing his new controversial gold plated crest and wingset.

This is probably how you will end up displaying Daitarn since the arm ratchets are gapped to where the arms lay right against his sides or this position which requires spreading the legs to keep it from looking goofy.

You will notice that there are two crests including in the set just like the original. The first one shown is bigger and more screen accurate than the other.

The smaller one is to maintain perfect transformation by being able to fold away during transformation. I honestly recommend that unless you must absolutely have a perfect transformation due to an obsessive disorder, you should remove the crest altogether to avoid any scuffing of the gold finish.

The standard hands on Daitarn have individually articulated fingers at the knuckles and a friction-fit thumb which you should be careful not to lose.

Should you want to use the included and excellently sculpted hands, you can push the standard hands into the forearm and attach the ball-jointed piece which allows use of the alternate hands. I should warn that sometimes it is a bit of a pain pulling the standard hands back out.

Here he is with a couple of the alternate hands that are included. The spread out fingers hand and a fist.

Here he is with the Sun attack hand.

Daitarns hips can be extended for more articulation at the hips. Ive extended only one side here for comparison. The ankles also have this feature to allow wide spreading of his legs during posing.

So, how about some comparisons already? Here's both the GX-65 and the GX-53 side by side. Nary a difference at quick glance aside from the crest right?

I dont blame you for seeing a huge difference but there are color differences in the blues used. The main color is a bit more metallic looking and lighter on the GX-65. The gray used on the shoulder pieces is actually paint and not molded in that color. I am thankful for that because molding it in color would have made it look cheap.

The chest area is lighter than the rest of the blues used on the body which is more screen accurate. Below is a screenshot of Daitarn for comparison. About the only thing they could have done to make it look exactly like the screen is lose the gold crest and make the silver parts on Daitarn white (Although chrome/silver shows as white onscreen). Other than that the colors and the gray used is pretty accurate.

The GX-65's hands (L) are actually painted a metallic blue instead of being molded in color like the GX-53's hands (R)

Then there's the darn crest. OK, I get it Bandai. "Lets make this Daitarn really stand out" is what you're thinking. However the execution lacks a bit. Sure, it grows on you but at first glance it's hard not to look at it and try and make sense of it. First, it's not really gold plated. It's chrome with a layer of "yellow". I write "yellow" because it actually has a hint of green that throws everything off. What do you guy's think?

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two crests from each Daitarn. The gold looks good to me as long as I dont focus on the other yellows on the figure. I tend to wonder if plating all of the yellows was originally in the plans and cut out during planning due to cost?

If you are wondering what it looks like with a yellow crest, here you go.

If you didn't notice in a previous picture, this renewal also includes the open mouthed face.

Also included are all of Daitarn's weapons just like the original release. No more, no less. He comes with two large chrome swords. The hilts actually collapse and open to allow installation of the huge chrome blades.

This is the Daitarn Snapper which can be configured in different ways.

This has to be one of the silliest weapon's a super robot can wield. A fan. But make no mistake, Daitarn has been known to bitch-slap an enemy into oblivion with this weapon. It can also be configured in different ways.

Imagine getting slapped in the face with a fan and then beaten to death by the Daitarn Hammer. This weapon is probably his most medieval type of weapon. It features a spiked end and metal chain.

"Yeah, that's right, I slapped you with a fan. Now, I'm about to hammer you to bits."

My favorite has to be the Daitarn Javelin. I liked this weapon as a kid when I messed around with my old Taiwan Daitarn but the new version is so much better in three dimensions.

Just when you thought he had no more silly weapons, he pulls out his Daitarn "Missile". Anytime I impersonate Daitarn and I do the Daitarn Missile, I get kicked out of the party. I don't get it.

One more.

Let's not forget the Mach Patrol which Haran Banjo uses to cruise the streets and pick up chicks...and also fight crime. It's a teeny little bugger. Here he is in scale with Daitarn 3.

The Mach Patrol also has a flight mode called the Mach Attacker. Two extra PVC vehicles are included. One in docking mode and one in flight mode.

Where exactly does this dock? His undercrotch. Well technically during Daitarn's alternate Daifighter mode when it's not a crotch, but it's more fun this way.

Speaking of Daifighter, Daitarn has an alternate flight mode! Called the um, Daifighter.

It's not the hardest transformation, but it is intricate in spots...only to end up with a ship that looks like this and has the world's silliest rear landing gear. There is absolutely no front landing gear so this mode is pointless unless you can prop it up with something.

Daitarn also has a second alternate mode! Daitank. Going to this mode is not a big deal if you are coming out of Daifighter mode, but if not, it's too much trouble for what you get as an end result. Now this is by no means a design flaw. That's really how he transforms on the show. Bandai did a great job at capturing his silly alternate modes. This mode does require a set of anime accurate tread sets to look this good though. BTW, those cannons are built into the foot/ankle!

The rear shows off some built in booster detail that was missing on the vintage figure.

Say you're one of those people that throws away your boxes or are just insane. You get a nice stand to put ALL your extra unused accessories on. It also has a nice gold-plated plaque to tell you who it belongs to.

Now, even though you get a mini PVC Mach Patrol, Bandai took it one giant step further and included a fully transforming Mach Patrol! I love this piece. The rear quarter panels of the Mach Patrol are cast in metal and painted with a beatiful gloss paint. It's just a bit smaller than a Matchbox car.

There's even a little Haran Banjo sitting inside. Another cool feature is that the wing hinges double as gun barrels on the hood.

The bottom reveals this figures nature. It's a transforming toy.

Tada! It transforms into the Mach Attacker. Beautiful and perfectly executed.

Here's a little scale comparison.

So that's about it guys. I don't know if I can recommend buying this if you already own it unless the differences are worth it enough for you. If you don't own either one, I would probably hit up the newer one. Here are the two SOC Daitarn 3's with some other Daitarn 3's I own.